The Pacific Northwest might get short shrift for all the rain that falls in winter, but there truly are few places with such beautiful summers — and in green, lush environments, to boot.

That’s why we LOVE September in the San Juans.

September is prime vacation time.

The kids are back in school and the peak crowds have returned home, but the weather is as gorgeous as ever. Historical averages in the San Juans are in the low 70s and high 60s throughout the month — warmer than June and just about the same as July. And with the late-summer breezes cruising through the passages and around the many islands… It’s magical.

There’s a lot to do in the San Juan Islands during September: Stop by the farmers’ markets on Orcas and San Juan islands; take a lovely, hilly hike through Cypress Island’s miles of trails; visit the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park and learn all about the 19th-century Pig War.

And if you get a little warm from sunbathing on the Diminuendo’s spacious decks, simply slip into the water for a refreshing swim in the sparkling blue-green waters of the PNW. One recent group of guests enjoyed stargazing on the open seas; with no electric lights around, the view of the sky can be truly incredible.

Book Diminuendo — a charming 2001 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS — for a multi-day cruise through the islands and set your own itinerary, or trust Captain Ron and the mercurial winds of the Salish Sea to guide you. All you have to do is kick back, enjoy home-cooked meals (that’s right; meals are provided on-board!) and let your worries drift away.

Trips can be anywhere from 6 hours (perfect for business meetings or afternoon visit with friends) to 6 days. The longer the trip, the less you’ll pay per person per night. Click here for current rates. To secure an all-inclusive sailing adventure in September, it’s recommended to book at least two months in advance.

Contact Northwest Sailing Adventures today for the perfect September vacation. Captain Ron and First Mate Mari are committed to ensuring that every single person who books with Northwest Sailing has a vacation to remember.

The best way to visit the San Juan Islands is to go with people who can help you find ― and give you access to ― the islands’ many secret spaces. And believe us, there are many!

Captain Ron Fugere and Mate Mari know these islands very well. They have years of experience sailing in and around the many quiet coves and harbors of the 172 named islands in the San Juans and they’d love to show you.

Here are two things to consider to help make the most of your upcoming sailing adventure:

For starters, you have guides – Ron and Mari – to navigate the Salish Sea; you get all the experience of sailing the mighty Pacific Northwest without having to know how to trim the jib or lower the mainsail. You also have someone to make all your meals and a tour guide who can point out pods of majestic orca whales, romps of playful otters and lounging herds of seals.

Because Captain Ron and Mate Mari can handle everything about Diminuendo, you can enjoy a NW Washington sailing vacation while having no sailing experience whatsoever.

With “bareboat” charters, on the other hand, you’re on your own. You get the boat and nothing else. That can be a wonderful experience for those who want it, but be aware that it’s usually not as simple as it sounds. While you do get to experience the joy of sailing your own vessel, you also must handle all the day-to-day tasks and challenges. On a bareboat charter, you and your passengers may worry about boat safety, how to navigate through the rocky shallows or how to plot a course across the shipping lanes (and upon return to port, you’ll have to refuel, empty the sewage tank (ick!) and wash the boat inside and out).

If you really want to handle the boat yourself, just ask! On Diminuendo, you’re invited to take the helm as little or as much as you like, always secure in the knowledge that you’ll be supervised by Captain Ron and Mari.

Prices between bareboat and all-inclusive charters tend to be comparable, especially after you factor in food, which is not provided on bareboat trips.

Decide whether you want to visit specific sites

We’ve created well-loved typical itineraries for those who want to kick back and enjoy the beauty of the San Juans – hitting all the highlights. Our chartered sailing itineraries work well for all ages, making them a great option when traveling with friends and family.

Alternately, you’re free to plan a specific route or spend a few extra days in a certain place (great for visiting the islands for a wedding, for example!).

Washington State schools and universities will let out soon; warm weather and summer breezes are just around the corner!

While you’re planning your summer vacation, think about this: Northwest Sailing Adventures’ excursions are all-inclusive, fully customizable and tailored specifically to you. And since there’s nowhere on earth more beautiful than the Pacific Northwest in summer, why not book a unique vacation here in your backyard?

It’s simple. First, you just need to pick the length of time you want to spend in heaven. After that, Captain Ron and First Mate Mari at Northwest Sailing will work with you to plan the perfect itinerary.

Take, for example, their three-day cruises. Guests often say that three days in the Islands is a great length of time; it’s short enough to allow them flexibility in their vacation schedules but long enough to feel like they’re getting away from their day-to-day lives.

Do you work in education? There’s a special deal for you! Check out the end of this post for more information.

Maybe you want to visit the cute one-room schoolhouse on Stuart Island. It still operates, believe it or not, when it has students. In 2008, two kids comprised the school’s entire student-body.

Or perhaps beachcombing, crabbing and hiking is more your thing. Sucia Island, often ranked as one of the world’s best boating destinations, is perfect for these activities. Throw in sunbathing from the deck of a sailboat, too, and you have a vacation paradise.

And then there’s the adorable and eminently walkable seaside towns of Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Beachfront restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bookstores, cute little cafes and antique stores abound. Tucked into the San Juan Island hillsides, these towns are perfect complements to the natural splendor that surrounds them.

Between and among all of these islands, you can float in a kayak, explore tiny coves and watch majestic bald eagles swoop and soar. Perhaps you’ll even be able to spot a pod of Orcas, who spend a lot of time around the islands in the summer months.

Whatever type of adventure vacation you’re looking for, the San Juan Islands can accommodate it, and the professional chartered sailing crew at Northwest Sailing Adventures can get you there in style. Not to mention, of course, that sailing through these islands is an adventure that you just can’t experience any other way.

Sailing discount for education employees.

Northwest Sailing has a soft spot for those who work in schools. If you contribute to education, be it as a school janitor, administrator, teacher, groundskeeper, cook or other school employee, please enjoy a 20-percent discount on any three-, four-, five- or six-day all-inclusive sailing charter.

You deserve a break from the hard work of teaching the next generation. Let Diminuendo’s chartered sailing crew cater to your every need while you relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Northwest islands.

The savviest of travelers have a simple strategy for making the most of their precious vacation time:

Use the shoulder season.

They know that the best holidays are found in the magical time when crowds are thin, prices are lower and temperatures are less than sweltering.

In the Pacific Northwest, the spring shoulder season occurs during May and June, after winter has receded and before the schools release their wandering herds.

Note: Gray whales migrate through the area during spring months. Your chances of spotting one can increase!

Imagine the spring breeze in your face as you sail among the hundreds of islands in the San Juan Islands, lush vegetation everywhere. The spring flowers are in full bloom, and the world is positively bursting with life.

Now imagine doing it for hundreds less than you’d pay for an all-inclusive sailboat charter during the summer high season. Sounds great, right?

We’ve been sailing Diminuendo through the San Juan Islands for long enough to know that the best time to visit, truly, is in the spring. Here are just a few reasons why:

There are fewer people around. In the San Juan Islands, you’ll never see the hordes you’d expect at Disneyland, no matter what time of year. But in the spring, the crowds are even fewer than normal, and you can truly enjoy the famous relaxed pace of island life.

The beachcombing is better. Late winter and early spring storms churn up the beaches and reveal treasures that otherwise might be hidden. Shoulder season adventures are especially good for agate hunting ― and since other beachcombers are few, there’s less competition for the best finds.

The weather is better for sailing. The changing of the seasons is always an interesting time for wind watchers. Fluctuations in temperature and pressure bring with them increases in wind, which, of course, is perfect for a chartered sailboat vacation! Mother Nature is the third member of our crew, and she’s always a reliable worker this time of year. Plus, the temperatures during spring can be more comfortable than in summer.

Verdant, lush scenery abounds. Spring in the Pacific Northwest is incredible. And on the Salish Sea, among the many islands ― some say say it’s the most beautiful place on earth. From the comfort of our chartered sailboat, you see the bright greens of plant life basking in newly discovered sunlight. And the wildflowers, in every color and shape imaginable … they’re simply incredible!

To ask about available dates or to book your San Juan sailing adventure, feel free to call, text or email us. We can’t wait to get out on the water for the spring shoulder season! We hope you can join us.

The Vernal Equinox approaches and with it the promise of warmer spring weather. What better way to shake off the winter blues than on a private sailing charter in the San Juan islands?

Some of the very best sailing conditions are enjoyed in the spring. Temperatures are mild and the winds are great. The islands are sprinkled with meadows and prairies of wild flowers and grasses. Come see them in all their splendor!

The San Juan Islands are seldom crowded, but they are even less so in the spring. Mornings can sometimes be a bit cool, but nothing a steaming pot of coffee and Diminuendo’s furnace can’t chase away!

To welcome the spring, Mari and Ron are inviting you to join them aboard Diminuendo for your own private spring sailing adventure, and offering special rates to help lure you off the couch. You’ll set sail from Bellingham, WA, just 90 minutes from bustling Seattle and about 60 minutes from Vancouver, BC. Within a few hours you’ll find yourself in a whole different world.

To find out how you can take advantage of our great pre-season specials, call or text Northwest Sailing Adventures at: (253)381-3919. You can also email us at: info@nwsailing.com. This offer is valid until May 20th for sailings before June 20th. For the best dates, call now!